Unclogged

No one likes a clogged pipe; on further thought, anything "clogged" is a problem! To be "clogged" is to be loaded or filled with something that "hinders motion" (American Dictionary, Websters 1828). Motion or movement is a good sign of something that is working properly, fulfilling its intended purpose. This is particularly true of those whom Jesus has gloriously redeemed from sin and unto good works. Ephesians 2:10 confirms this: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." The gracious salvation of our souls is only the beginning of a daily walking with Jesus. Over time, however, we settle-into a walk forgetting and neglecting to that which we have been created and called. The neglect of our calling always begins with a more personal neglect ... reading God's Word, prayer and sweet communion with The Father. Before we are even aware, sin has crept in and The Spirit is hindered from His intended purpose in our lives ... clogged. Maybe you're at a point of stagnation, lack of activity and motion - it's just where the enemy wants you to be and stay! There is hope for clogged pipes! "Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually!" (1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV). To get The Spirit moving in our hearts - rooting out sin and debris - we must get movin'. God says in Proverbs 8:17, "I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me diligently find Me." Yes, The Father longs for us to move toward Him, and to seek Him is to find Him! I'm confident there are others that need us to one in spirit with God through a close relationship and walk with Jesus; "God always needs more pipe ... just one more piece of pipe" moving His love and joy along. This is the calling of those who belong to The Lord - your calling and my calling. Fulfill your calling - remain ... unclogged.

Rest In Him

It's been said "life is like riding a bicycle - you don't fall off unless you stop peddling."  I always enjoyed riding a bicycle, and I really liked the coasting part of riding.  As much as we prefer to coast through life, we find ourselves peddling all the more and the harder it becomes. God really cares about the weariness of His children.  Life makes us weary; the daily must-do things wear on the body, mind, spirit and heart. The Father is ever gently yet firmly reminding us He has declared victory over it all! Jesus said, "Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28, ESV). Christ knows all about those things because He faced them too, and He conquered each one. What How refreshing we can rest in Him completely. In her 1876 hymn, Jean Pigott wrote: "Jesus, I am resting, resting, in the joy of what Thou art; I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart." How amazing that we can actually stop peddling so ferociously and even coast as we quietly and peacefully ... rest in Him.

Cheer Up

The older us'ms - Hee Haw generation - can sing this well: "Gloom, despair and agony on me - Deep dark depression, excessive misery ..." This is not a good song to have ... stuck in your head! Sadly, there are many Believers who forget the hope and encouragement we have in Christ, and end humming right along. The night before Jesus died, surely one of the darkest moments in His earthly life, Jesus was The Encourager. He began with this words, "Do not let your heart be troubled" (John 14:1 NASB) then after many life-giving words He concluded with "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 NASB). Jesus not only promised peace for the troubled soul, the one overcome with despair and discouragement, He showed us how to encourage one another and others. The opportunities set before you and I each day are pathways to offer Life-Giving Water and Bread. The born-again child of God knows and understands that Jesus is all the troubled heart so cheer up so we can be the ... cheerer-upper of someone else.

Move With Compassion

How does your heart react to someone sitting alone, away from the crowd, possibly feeling completely left out of life? Honestly, such a sight gives my heart a jolt! The Apostle Paul reminds God's children how they are are to be clothed: "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience" (Colossians 3:12 ESV). One of my favorite descriptions of Jesus is found in Matthew 14:14; when Jesus saw the crowd "He had compassion on them." Several [literal] translations read He was "moved with compassion" - I like that translation. Jesus is the model of how compassion should move us into action! He first had compassion the people then that compassion proved itself genuine as He was moved to heal the sick among them. Barbara Johnson wrote "God Always Needs More Pipe - Think of a gardener irrigating his garden. He is able to channel life-giving water to all areas except to one little dying plant way over in the corner. The gardener knows that if he had just one more piece of pipe he could run it over to that wilting plant and transform it with new life. So it is with the Mater Gardener. Because He chooses to minister through us, He needs many lengths of pipe to bless persons here, there, and all around." (from Splashes of Joy in the Cesspools of Life). I'm fairly certain you and I both someone who may be wilting for lack of the Life-Giving love of Jesus; I'm equally confident you and I can be that one more piece of pipe. Be moved with compassion.

No Breaks

Spring break isn't just for a select few: I've enjoyed it as a retiree! A "break" from the usual with an added bonus of dedicated time with family and friends, reading, naps and such. One break that must never come, however, is a day-off from time with The Father! God's Word says, "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8 ESV). Perhaps there's no greater danger than a spiritual day-off! Such a "break" opens the way for all kinds of stuff that lead to temptation and buy-ins to some otherwise bad and destructive habits. When God says "see to it," He is actually calling us to practical wisdom: be aware, be discerning and perceptive, looking for and observing the foolishness and lies of the enemy who will use them to take our minds and spirits hostage and slave to wrong things. Be ever alert and stay on-target by the power of (1) The Holy Spirit that lives within us [as true Believers], and (2) the effective words of Scripture. Faithfulness to Christ demands steadfastness in staying near The Father - absolutely ... no breaks!